Crazed pilot Joseph Emerson said he took magic mushrooms before trying to down flight: feds

New York Post ^ | Oct. 24, 2023 | Marjorie Hernandez and Social Links for Marjorie Hernandez VIEW AUTHOR ARCHIVE GET AUTHOR RSS FEED

[nickcarraway]

The out-of-control airline pilot who tried to down an Alaskan Airlines flight midair told cops he had taken magic mushrooms before the flight, it emerged Tuesday.

Joseph Emerson, 44, an off-duty commercial airline pilot, went off the rails while sitting in the cockpit jump seat of a flight between Everett, Washington, and San Francisco on Sunday — trying to cut the fuel to the engines before he had to be held down by crew members.

Even while restrained, Emerson tried to open the emergency doors on the Alaskan flight, which was being operated by Horizon Air, as the pilots frantically guided the craft to the ground. When later interviewed by police he said he had a “nervous breakdown” after not sleeping for 40 hours and taking psychedelic mushrooms for the first time.

[djstex]

Ok then and why not add the SUV he drove to get the shrooms to solidify his excuse.
What a terrible liar.
How sad that even nuts have an excuse for their actions.

[Beowulf9]

I’ve always been afraid to fly. This doesn’t make me feel good about it.

Thank heavens that crew stopped this terrible thing.

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

This guy is in deep doodoo. 10 years.

[Az Joe]

Drug test/evaluate anyone who is in the cockpit of any flight.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

But he wasn’t depressed any more!

[SpaceBar]

His story changed from stress to shrooms/insomnia which usually indicates lying. He’s still screwed.

[Chode]

Emerson in the Sky With Diamonds...

[Larry Lucido]

He could lose his flight status over this.

[dfwgator]

I think I saw this movie...

[noiseman]

I’ve always been afraid to fly. This doesn’t make me feel good about it.

Thank heavens that crew stopped this terrible thing.

While it would not have been good for the engines if he had succeeded in discharging the fire suppression system, and would have required an emergency landing, contrary to popular belief airplanes don’t drop from the sky when their engines stop running. Had that happened, they would have glided to the nearest suitable airport and given that they were at cruising altitude, they would have had plenty of time and range to do so.

[Billthedrill]

he said he had a “nervous breakdown” after not sleeping for 40 hours and taking psychedelic mushrooms for the first time.

It's a good idea to get a few mushroom trips under your belt before trying to fly an airliner on them. It's just common sense.

[Beowulf9]

Well that is a little better scenario. Thanks for that info :)

[katykelly]

Ok , so , that’s comforting .

[Colt1851Navy]

Ex pilot

[Persevero]

Ah, drugs, the victimless crime.

[gundog]

I can fllllyyyyyyy....

[chopperk]

Try him for attempted murder of 80 pax.

[Dilbert San Diego]

Ok, so that’s his excuse, that he took magic mushrooms???

[FlingWingFlyer]

Friggin’ moron. Hopefully, his pilot’s license has been withdrawn. That clown has no business flying any type of aircraft.